If you’re the kind of person who eats pickles straight from the jar and would drink the juice if no one was watching, then congratulations—you’ve just found your new favorite dish.
This Dill Pickle Pasta Salad Recipe is bold, tangy, and basically a dill pickle lover’s dream. It’s the kind of side dish that shows up at a barbecue and mysteriously disappears before the burgers are even ready. Packed with crunchy pickles, creamy dressing, and tender pasta, it’s got just the right mix of nostalgia (hello, childhood pickle obsession) and sophistication (because, you know, pasta).
I once made this for a potluck and barely managed to sneak a bite before it was wiped clean by fellow pickle fanatics. Lesson learned: next time, make a double batch. Whether you’re looking for a refreshing summer side, a picnic must-have, or just an excuse to eat more pickles, this creamy pasta salad recipe is the way to go.
Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
Equipment
- Large pot
- Mixing bowls
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Colander
- Spoon for mixing
Ingredients
Pasta Salad:
- 16 oz rotini pasta
- ⅓ cup dill pickle juice from the pickle jar
- 2 cups baby dill pickles chopped
- 8 oz Colby Jack cheese cut into small cubes
- 1 small white onion finely chopped
Creamy Dill Dressing:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream
- ⅓ cup dill pickle juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried dill)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rotini pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water.16 oz rotini pasta
- Soak the Pasta in Pickle Juice: Transfer the drained pasta to a mixing bowl and pour ⅓ cup of pickle juice over it. Stir and let it sit while you prep the rest of the ingredients.⅓ cup dill pickle juice
- Chop the Ingredients: Dice the baby dill pickles and Colby Jack cheese into small cubes. Finely chop the white onion.2 cups baby dill pickles, 8 oz Colby Jack cheese, 1 small white onion
- Drain Excess Pickle Juice: After the pasta has soaked, drain any excess liquid before adding the other ingredients.
- Mix the Salad: Add the chopped pickles, cheese, and onion to the pasta. Stir to combine.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, pickle juice, dill, salt, and black pepper until smooth.1 cup mayonnaise, ½ cup sour cream, ⅓ cup dill pickle juice
- Combine Everything: Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and stir until everything is evenly coated.
- Chill or Serve: Serve immediately for a slightly warm pasta salad or cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hours for a chilled version. If the dressing thickens too much in the fridge, stir in a little extra pickle juice before serving.
Dill Pickle Pasta Salad: Secrets, Hacks, and Swaps From Someone Who’s Made It a Hundred Times (And Eaten It Even More)
Alright, you pickle-loving, pasta-salad-obsessed humans, let’s talk secrets. I’ve made this Dill Pickle Pasta Salad more times than I can count, and let’s just say I’ve learned a thing or two. Here’s your insider’s guide to making this salad creamier, tangier, and even better than the last batch you inhaled.
🥒 The Pickle Rules (Yes, There Are Rules)
- Use the good stuff. If you’re about to chop up some sad, soggy pickles from a sketchy off-brand jar, just stop. Go for crunchy pickles—Claussen, Grillo’s, or your favorite deli-style pickles. You want snap, not mush.
- Baby dills = best dills. Why? They’re crunchier, milder, and easier to chop without turning into a pickle massacre.
- Pickle juice matters. This isn’t just a throwaway ingredient—it’s the magic potion that gives this pasta salad its kick. If you really want to go next level, let the cooked pasta sit in the juice for a bit before mixing everything together.
🧀 Cheese Choices: Don’t Overthink It (But Also, Don’t Mess It Up)
- Colby Jack is king—mild, creamy, and doesn’t try to steal the spotlight.
- Cheddar is good too, but go for mild or medium unless you like your pasta salad tasting like a block of cheese.
- Skip pre-shredded cheese. Those little waxy bits don’t mix well, and you deserve better. Dice up a block like a proper adult.
🥣 Dressing 101: Don’t Even Think About Using Miracle Whip
- Real mayonnaise or bust. I get it—some of you are team Miracle Whip. This is not the place for that debate. Just trust me and go full-fat mayo.
- Sour cream is your best friend. It keeps the dressing extra creamy and balances the mayo so it’s not too heavy. Want to lighten it up? Greek yogurt works, but don’t blame me if it tastes healthy.
- Fresh dill > dried dill. If you can get your hands on fresh dill, chop it up and throw it in. It makes the dressing smell like a legit deli sandwich, which is exactly the vibe we want.
🍝 Pasta Problems? Let’s Fix That.
- Rotini is the MVP. Those little spirals hold onto dressing like it’s their job. If you go rogue and use macaroni or penne, it’ll still be good—but it won’t be great.
- Rinse the pasta after cooking. I know, I know—some food purists will tell you not to. But this isn’t spaghetti, it’s pasta salad. Rinsing cools it down and keeps it from turning into a gummy, clumpy mess.
- Salt your pasta water. If you forget, just know that your noodles will taste like sadness and regret.
🚀 Bonus Pro Moves
- Want more crunch? Throw in some chopped celery or even crushed-up kettle chips right before serving. (Yes, chips. Try it. Live a little.)
- Feeling spicy? Add a pinch of cayenne or some chopped pickled jalapeños. Suddenly, it’s “Dill Pickle Pasta Salad With a Kick.”
- Dressing too thick the next day? Stir in a splash of pickle juice to bring it back to life.
- Got leftovers? First of all, I’m impressed. Second, eat them within two days—this salad is at its best fresh, and the pickles start to lose their crunch after a while.
Now go forth and make the best Dill Pickle Pasta Salad of your life. And if someone tries to tell you that “maybe there are too many pickles,” just know they don’t deserve your cooking. 😏
